Australia’s agriculture sector is at a crossroads where techniques of sustainable production have become imperative to mitigate the impacts of climate change. One of the most significant debates about this area of study is the issue of emissions with relevance to organic and chemical fertilisers. Therefore, knowledge of the emissions linked to these fertilisers is essential for informed decision-making and advancing sustainable farming practices in Australia.
Organic Fertilisers
Organic fertilisers that are derived from natural sources including compost, manure, and bone meal, are touted for their eco-friendly attributes. They have the effects of improving the structure of the soil, increasing biodiversity and sustainable farming.
Emissions Profile of Organic Fertilisers:
- Carbon Sequestration: Most organic farming practices are found to be superior in sequestering the carbon in the soil. Such organic compost enhances the soil structure and enhances its ability to sequester carbon hence minimising total GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
- Lower N2O Emissions: It is recognised that emissions of N2O from organic fertilisers are generally lower than from chemical ones. This is because the organic fertilisers release the nutrients slowly in the soil reducing the likelihood of N2O emissions spikes.
- Reduced Energy Consumption: The production of organic fertilisers has been established and demonstrated to use less energy than chemical fertilisers, resulting in lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Chemical Fertilisers
Chemical fertilisers are mostly produced from synthetic nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and are widely used due to their effectiveness in feeding crops and enhancing production. However, the environmental impact they have is very large.
Emissions Profile of Chemical Fertilisers:
- High N2O Emissions: The use of synthetic nitrogen-based fertilisers is cited as one of the main sources of N2O emissions. This powerful greenhouse gas has a GWP of 298 times of CO2 over 100 years.
- Energy-Intensive Production: The use of chemical fertilisers involves a lot of energy, and so leads to high emissions of CO2. Among all those processes the most energy-demanding is the Haber-Bosch process which is used to produce ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen.
- Soil Degradation: This is an indication that the use of chemical fertilisers has adverse effects on soil health; this one yields to less carbon and on the other yields more of emissions when compared to moderate usage.
Emissions Comparison in Australia
In Australia, the use of organic as opposed to chemical fertilisers affects the nation’s carbon footprint. Here’s a comparative look at the emissions from these fertilisers within the Australian context:
- N2O Emissions:
- The majority of organic fertilisers emit less N2O than chemical fertilisers. This is because of a more controlled release of nutrients which is more beneficial for plant uptake and reduced levels of N2O emission.
- The use of chemical fertilisers is a major source of GHG emissions, particularly when the application rates are high, and the fertilisers are applied to agricultural soils.
- CO2 Emissions:
- Organic fertilisers are fraught with a comparatively small carbon footprint owing to the use of locally available organic waste products. Transport emissions are also low since some of these materials are sourced locally.
- Chemical fertilisers produce more CO2 because of the energy required to process the raw materials and they also require long-distance transport.
- Methane (CH4) Emissions:
- Organic fertilisers produced from animal manure can result in emissions of CH4 during storage as well as during the application of the fertilisers. However, these emissions are generally not as high as the cumulative emissions based on chemical fertilisers.
- While chemical fertilisers themselves do not directly lead to CH4 emission, they can complicate the soil conditions necessary for methane release, especially under conditions of water logging.
The Verdict: Organic vs. Chemical
Organic fertilisers stand a better chance than chemical fertilisers in the war of emissions in Australia. The improvement of soil conditions, carbon storage, and low emission of GHGs make them appear more attractive to farmers who want to minimise their impact on the environment.
Nevertheless, the shift towards organic fertilisers needs to be managed properly. To optimise the impact of soil organic matter and the possible negativities such as methane emissions from managed manure farmers should implement efficient soil management practices and proper regulation of application of organic inputs.
Wrapping Up,
In light of the current climate situation in Australia, sustainable agriculture needs to be promoted to meet the set climate change goals where the use of organic fertilisers is a critical driver. It is therefore possible for Australian farmers to obey emissions, enhance the condition of the soil and thus, foster a more sustainable way of farming by using organic fertilisers.
KG2 Australia holds a strong stance in helping farmers through their journey towards sustainability. Contact KG2 Australia today to learn more about organic farming products and seek a positive change in the agricultural industry.
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